Judging by the guidance given for the remainder of 2011, it looks like the hotel industry’s publicly traded companies are optimistic about the direction of the sector’s recovery.

While the economic environment is still shaky, the consensus among hotels seems to be revenue per available room growth of between approximately 4% and 9.5% for the rest of the year, according to first-quarter earnings statements.

“I think the stock market right now is underwriting a pretty strong recovery,” said Enrique Torres, an analyst with Green Street Advisors.

At Wednesday’s close, the Baird/STR Hotel Stock Index was up 15.4% year over year, as indicated by the Hotel Investment Barometer’s data dashboard. For those who aren’t aware, the dashboard handily compiles in one spot a multitude of financial measures and provides a year-over-year look at these metrics. Check it out by clicking here. (Paid Hotel Investment Barometer subscription required to view.) Torres said many companies are targeting RevPAR between 6% and 8%. “Fundamentals (in 2011) should improve meaningfully,” he said.

Now, let’s go right to the sources and take a quick look at what some of the sector’s public companies have to say as far as 2011 guidance is concerned.

• Accor: “Despite the uncertainty created by recent geopolitical events in Japan, Africa and the Middle East, and by the macro-economic environment, the group is confident that the hotel cycle will continue to recover in 2011, mainly driven by demand,” the company said in a first-quarter earnings release 20 April.
• China Lodging Group: “We are confident that the outlook of the domestic travel market will continue to grow fast,” CEO Matthew Zhang said in a 10 May news release.
• Choice Hotels International: RevPAR growth of approximately 4% is expected during 2011.
• InterContinental Hotels Group: "We remain confident about the outlook for the rest of the year,” chief executive Andrew Cosslett said in a news release issued 10 May. “Demand for our brands continues to strengthen with both guests and hotel owners. This is driving our performance and reinforcing our industry leading pipeline. We are well positioned to take advantage of the gathering rate momentum we now see around the world.”
• Marriott International: “For the full year 2011, the company expects a strong pricing environment,” Marriott said in its first-quarter earnings release on 20 April.
• Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide: RevPAR increases at same-store operated hotels worldwide of 7% to 9% in constant dollars; RevPAR increases at branded same-store owned hotels worldwide of 8% to10% in constant dollars.
• Strategic Hotels & Resorts: Company raised the lower end of its guidance for North American same store RevPAR and total RevPAR and expects the RevPAR growth to be between 7.5% and 9%.
• Sunstone Hotel Investors: Pro forma comparable 33-hotel portfolio RevPAR to increase 6% to 8%.

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